GS Tour Moreno Valley

Not enough golf lately. I'm very ready to get into the "grind" of the season. I don't know enough about my game when I'm rusty, and I don't like the feeling.

I still feel like I can go out and win, but it feels much more like a crapshoot this time of the year. I'm not hitting it bad, it just doesn't feel totally comfortable. That will change quick now that I'll be playing every week. Good.

This week's course is another good one. It's a Pete Dye, so it can be severe, but there are plenty of birdies out there. Miss the big numbers and all will be okay.

The greens aren't great. They seem to have a "weed" or some sort of fungus. That will make it more of a ball striking event. That suits me just fine.

I'm just excited to play. It's been two weeks, but it seems like ages. I love this. Now let's go make some birdies.

Luke Swilor

In My Groove

Not yet the groove, but my groove. The groove I've worn into I-15 the last couple months. That's right, back to sunny Southern California.

I've got a little two-day Golden State Tour event in Moreno Valley Thursday and Friday. Then the season hits full steam. The first US Pro Golf event is in Dallas around the 15th, and after that there isn't a week off until late in the year. I think that justifies the use of "full steam," no?

Opportunity is knocking. Can't wait to get the meat of the season started.

Luke Swilor

Hawaii

Here's some pics. And if you haven't yet, check out lukeswilor.com. It's kind of bare bones, but it has full schedule, results, gear, and a little picture gallery is starting. I'll talk a lot here, and post the info there.

Pearl Country Club, Overlooking Pearl Harbor

The view of Waikiki from my room (bit cloudy)

Waimea Beach

Overlook on the Northeast Tip

The one and only picture of your's truly of the trip. Pali Lookout.

Luke Swilor

Final Round USPGT Qualifying

I was anxious all night. I had to have a good one today. I got more anxious every minute as today's round got closer, but I like that feeling. It's the feeling you get when you're about to do something important.

This wasn't PGA Tour School. Still, it was very similar because a whole year depended on it. If I didn't qualify, I wouldn't have had a completely solid place to play. The purses for the 10 tournaments are comparatively very large. So it was still a big deal. It certainly didn't feel a lot different than tour school. I was NERVOUS.

I was in a pretty good spot to start today, but I was far from safe. I had to play a very solid round to insure my spot on the tour, and I was feeling the weight of it. A lot was at stake.

I amended my game plan a bit to take out any huge numbers. I don't think I've ever hit so many two irons off the tee. This wasn't a huge loss. The fairways this week were so fast in the afternoon that the deuce went around 270. So I felt like it was a smart revision to the plan, while not sacrificing too many of the birdie opportunities.

Birdie on one helped. Another on two helped a lot. But then I hit a dry patch. I missed some makable birdie putts, and three putted the fifth (once again, the greens were tough). So I was at one under most of the round. With double hanging around every hole, the nerves kept ramping up throughout the day.

Now it gets really hard. I had missed makable birdie putts on 10-13. They all had a chance, but none fell. So I was still on the bubble. On 14, I had 180 and hit 8 iron over the green, leaving a tough chip. I hit 8 iron over 200! I don't have that shot, but the course was getting a bit crispy by that stage. This was the point in the round where I could either bear down, or let the round get away. I chose the former, and got it up and down. Nice.

I hit a great little bump and run wedge from 130 on 16 for a birdie. Next I hit a very nice punch 7 iron in close for another birdie on 17 to sew it up. Until then, I didn't feel comfortable the whole round.

I played it a bit too safe on 18 to make bogey, but it was smart by that point. Only a huge disaster could have "defeated" me, and I didn't want to even bring that into the equation.

So I made it through. How? Here's what I think. I like the feeling of being under pressure, and I think it's important to feel that way. That is why we play, to get the adrenaline pumping and to overcome the jitters. You need to embrace it, realize you've done something good to even be in a position to feel the butterflies, and the execute the shots you've worked so hard to be able to execute. It's an amazing feeling to perform when it counts the most. Look forward to it.

My "go to" shot today was a little punch hook. Find the shot you know you can hit, and hit it. The shots you're not confident in become very hard to pull off in the crunch, so why hit them? Hit what works, whether it's ugly or not.

So, I have a pretty solid place to play this year, and I'm very much looking forward to it. Here's to a great year.

Luke Swilor

And...traffic was a joke tonight. I left San Diego at 3:30, and I was barely out of L.A. at 8:30. I learned the reason road rage can become such a problem. Talk about frustating. Yuck. I stopped at the first hotel I saw after going 5 miles in an hour. The SoCal people can deal with this every day, I'll pass.

Made in the Shade

Played really good today under some pretty heavy pressure. 70 made it easily. More when I stop.

Luke

USPGT Qualifier Round 2

I had a hard time getting it in the hole today. I played pretty good, hit the ball as good as yesterday, but I wasn't getting the 4-6 foot putts in the hole. I hit most of them good, just misread most of them. It was a frustrating round, but I hung in and didn't hurt myself too badly. 75 today, now +1 for the week.

The cut line today would have once again been +2. No change from yesterday. The scores are very bunched up around the qualifying number. There are 10 guys at +1 and 9 at +2, so it is very much up in the air as to what the number will be. +2 will get in, +3 seems pretty safe, +4/+5 have a chance. So we'll see. All I know is that if I shoot par or better, I'm in. Simple.

I feel good about the game. It's hard to feel safe, but I should be okay if I just go out and play golf. Hit it and find it, then make it. Sounds good.

The leader is at -6, so there is an outside shot of stealing a win. Very outside, but not completely out of reach. It feels like there is a low number out there, might as well try to take it.

So another anxious night. I'll catch you on the other side.

Luke Swilor

USPGT Qualifier Round 1

Qualifiers are hard. They just are. I was pretty nervous this morning on the first tee. I managed to stripe it down the middle, and I was off. No more nerves after that (I suspect they'll come back). I played really good all day. I left a few more shots than I'd like out there, but it was a very solid round.

Birdie on 2 was nice. Three putt for bogey on 3 wasn't so nice (I'm telling you, the greens are severe). I made a couple more birdies on the front to get to -2. Played solid on the back, but didn't get anything going.

The course played tough. The difficult greens helped my score of 70 (-2) end up tied for second. So I'm in a good spot, but there is still a lot of work ahead. This week there are 72 players playing for 26 spots. The playoff number after today would have been +2.

Feeling good heading into tomorrow. Anxious, though.

For scores, click this line.

Luke Swilor

USPGT Qualifier Preview

I played the course this morning (Salt Creek GC, formerly "the Auld Course"), and it seems pretty tough, mainly because of the greens. They are pretty severe, fast, and bumpy. Tee to green there is a lot of room, but left and right of every fairway is Environmentally Sensitive Area, ESA, which is a lateral hazard you have no option to play from. So basically, there is a lake left and right of every hole. Could cause some problems to some in the field, but I think there should be enough room to work with.

Today I felt like a completely different person. I hit it great, and my short game was on the money. It is a bit hard to make putts on such severe/bumpy greens, but I'm once again starting putts online. Very good sign. The work I got in yesterday seems to be paying off.

I've said before how tough qualifiers can be, and I'll reiterate it now. There is a whole year that depends on a couple of rounds, so the pressure is far greater than other events. Hopefully that will work in my favor. I feel good going in. Par or better everyday should do the trick. Let's do it then.

Luke Swilor

One more thing I haven't said in the last couple posts. The Hawaii Pearl Open was one of the best events I've ever played in. It was very well organized, the people treated us like champs, and the international flair added a whole new element to the game. I played with 3 very good guys from Japan. I say this, although communication was at almost zero. Hand gestures and "nice birdie" were about all we got across, but I had a great time. I genuinely enjoyed the company. I felt like I really got to know these guys, without saying anything. Weird, but true. I hope I get to go back.

LS

Back to the Mainland

Got on the plane last night at 10:45. Yep, red-eye. Got into LA at about 7 this morning, and drove to San Diego. Stayed awake, barely. I was just too tired to play a practice round, so I got a room and had the deepest nap of my life. When I woke up around 2, I felt great, and I had a very good practice session this afternoon. I'll play a practice round tomorrow, the qualifier runs Wed. through Thurs.

This past week was very frustrating, but I'm really not playing as bad as my scores indicated. I scored terribly, stepped in a few piles of bad stuff (a bit/lot flukey), but I'm not overly worried. I need to get the ball in the hole, though. I'll work on a few of my game's shortcomings, but the ol' game isn't in too bad of a shape. Mainly the wedges and putter need to come around, but I think I'm already making progress on that front.

Hopefully I'll get some good rest tonight, and I think I'll play some great golf this week.

Luke Swilor

Regroup Time

I played decent today. Didn't score very good, but I'm hitting good shots. I didn't play all that bad yesterday, but obviously the score told another story.

I needed to shoot 6 or 7 under to make the cut. I got off to a good start, 2 under after five. But I just didn't get the ball in the hole. I grinded around, then make a very weak double on 14. I ended up with a 73.

Big letdown this week. I felt very good going into the tournament, things just didn't pan out. I need to work on my short game quite a bit. Have to be ready this week for the USPGT qualifier. Due to my poor play, I've become a tourist for a day. Have the red-eye tomorrow night, then down to San Diego for the qualifier.

Hangin'

Luke

Trouble in Para...well you know the cliche

I don't really feel like posting a whole lot of info. I got off to a rough start with the putter, leading to some bad bogies. I hung in there for the most part, that is until I made a ten on my 14th hole. Oops. Two quick ones out of bounds and that's all she wrote. 82, highest score in at least 6 years.

Better go really low tomorrow, I guess.

Luke
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Hawaii Pearl Open - Opening Thoughts

The day started with a traffic jam on the way to LAX. I felt like I wasn't going to make the flight. I made it (fairly easily), only to learn that they overbooked, and I was about to get bumped. Ugh. I got a bit lucky, so I made my way across most of the Pacific. Not the best start to the trip, but it worked out. Really, who feels bad for me?

I'm very happy right now. I haven't even nearly reached all of my goals yet, but I'm living the dream, literally. This post comes from the 11th floor of a seedy little hotel in Waikiki. But it's still great, still "paradise." I'm a two minute walk from one of the most famous beaches in the world. I came here 4 times with the Utes in college, and every time is a thrill. It's definitely different being here by myself, but still a whole lot of fun. I mean, I'm in Hawaii for "work!" Doesn't get much better than that.

My dad came to this tournament quite a few years while he was playing. That's another reason it feels so good to be here. It's not easy to get an exemption, so it's a bit of an honor. I heard so much about the tournament as I was growing up. The NFL Pro Bowl is always in town this week. My dad has had beers alongside Michael Irvin, and he got me Barry Sanders' autograph one year. Maybe I'll see Peyton, Vince, who knows.

I really don't know how I'll play this week. I haven't played enough golf this year to make an objective review of my game. But I have won twice, albeit small events, and I feel like more are on the way. I'm learning more about my swing every day, so coming out of the winter gets easier every year.

I'm going to try to get in a practice round early tomorrow morning. The course is booked, with a pro-am in the afternoon. I should be able to squeeze in somewhere, but it means waking up at five. Like I care. I'm living the dream. "Work," ha.

The first round is Friday, and I play with three pros from Japan. How cool is that! I might not understand a word all day. This tournament is a truly international field, which makes it all the more fun (and difficult).

I have to send thanks to David Ishii, Director of Golf at Pearl Country Club, for giving me this opportunity this week. My dad, Milan, and Salt Lake pro Steve Schneiter also helped a lot. Thank you guys.

I'm writing this post using my phone as a modem, but I'll have some pics up when I get back to the mainland.

Let you know how it goes.

Luke Swilor
lukeswilor.com

Heading to Paradise

I'm on the road to L.A. right now. Quick litlle overnight stop then it's off to Oahu for the Pearl Open. I have to drive to L.A. because I'll need my car. USPGT qualifying starts right when I get back down in San Diego.

Rough, having to go to such a great place for work :).

Luke Swilor
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Struggle

I struggled today. It was really a miserable round, very cold and raining most of the day. I hit a lot of good shots, though, but I didn't get it into the hole. No birdies, first shut out since I don't know when.

It was a very frustrating couple of days. Like I said, I hit it pretty good. It felt like I was hitting good putts. Just couldn't get it done. I still have a lot of confidence, and I feel like I'm very in tune to my swing. I'm able to figure out what goes wrong when I miss, and the correction is fairly easy. I'm also driving the ball very good, which is very important.

So one win, one missed "cut" (no cut, but missed the money). Disappointing couple days, but I like my chances this year.

On the way home now, Hawaii next week!!! USPGT qualifier the next. Fun, eh?

Luke Swilor